June 15, 2012 - Spreading Joy!

A Course in Miracles Lesson #166

“I am entrusted with the gifts of God.”

"Peaceful Joy in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

I receive a lot of good-natured chiding for having a "Pollyanna" attitude.  Sometimes I'm chastised for being happy when others are sad. The following line from today's workbook lesson speaks to this: “For God entrusts the giving of His gifts to all who have received them. He has shared His joy with you. And now you go to share it with the world.” The action of happiness is profound. It affects everything, everyone around it. We all have stories of watching situations change when we touch them with peaceful joy. This doesn't mean we laugh in the face of misery. That is not compassion. But neither is being overly sympathetic while perpetuating the illusion.  To illustrate that I feel sadness just like you do, I've wept three times today. A young man's sudden death has been deeply moving to me. I recently received word that a relative who lives far away is succumbing to the ravages of multiple sclerosis. I haven't slept much in the last few days, so perhaps that's what precipitated the third bout of tears while telling a customer about a work of art.  Whatever the case, I tell you this simply to assure you that I feel sadness, that I am moved by daily life, and I hope to never lose the ability to empathize with others. But, also, I hope to always retain the ability to see past the form of sorrow and know the Truth of the situation. With all the emotional events of the past few days, I'll refrain from maudlin recounting of "what-ifs" and blame apportioning.  But when someone tells of a wonderful remembrance, I'll be there to share the joy. To carry a calm, buoyant feeling of happiness wherever we go is to bring healing to everything, everywhere. Whether it's a peaceful internal smiling or an outward giggling eruption, I invite you to join me today in the expression of Love, "giving living waters to the thirsty", and never fearing the consequences.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love--be it song, sermon, or Science--blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.”

Science & Health Page 234:4-8